Stan Mac relay notches 75 years

Mar 15, 2017

Bondi and North Bondi surf lifesaving clubs will face off in the 75th annual Stan and Basil McDonald Memorial Relay, commonly known as the “Stan Mac relay”, on Sunday, March 19.

The 20-person swim relay will be hosted by the Bondi club and a big contingent of supporters from both clubs are expected to cheer on the two teams at the beach from 2pm.
Bondi has been set the task of returning to the winner’s circle for the first time since the 2011-12 season, with North Bondi winning the relay for the past four years.
First held in the 1942-43 season, the relay, a symbol of supremacy on the famous beach, has been won 41 times by North Bondi and on 33 occasions by Bondi.

Bondi’s Simon Nothling (left) and North Bondi’s Tim Shaw get underway one of the previous Stan Mac relays. Photo: Tim Read
Words by John Blanch